Synodontis Petricola

Synodontis petricola is a small rock-dwelling catfish endemic to Lake Tanganyika, and one of the few Synodontis that stays a sensible size for a normal tank. The body is a soft grey-brown covered in fine dark spots, the fins are edged in white, and long white barbels sweep ahead of the head. It lives among the rocks along the lake shore, and in the aquarium it behaves the same way, working through caves and crevices rather than resting in the open.

Aquarium care

• Small for a Synodontis, comfortably kept in a normal rift-lake tank.
• Peaceful for a catfish and social with its own kind.
• Keep a small group; they are much bolder together.
• Wants hard, alkaline water in keeping with its Tanganyikan origin.
• Needs piles of rock with caves and crevices.
• Omnivorous: sinking pellets, wafers, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp.

The obvious catfish for a Tanganyikan or general African rift-lake tank, alongside shell dwellers, small Tanganyikan cichlids and Malawi species. It is not suited to a soft-water South American community.

Stock rotates with each shipment, and livestock is sold for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See the current catfish list.